Post by Mark on Aug 31, 2009 6:32:08 GMT -8
There are eleven curses listed in Deuteronomy 27. Rashi investigated the possibility that these blessings corresponded with the character of eleven of the tribes of Israel.
"Cursed be the man who makes a graven or molten image..." (v. 15). In Parashah Lech Lecha, on the verse, "Abraham...pursued them as far as Dan" (Genesis 14:14), Rashi writes: "There he became weak, seeing prophetically that his children were destined to erect a golden calf there." Thus the tribe of Dan is associated with "a graven or molten image."
"Cursed be the one who disgraces his father and mother!" (v. 16). In Parashah Ki Seitzei the rebellious son disgraces his parents by being "a binger and a boozer" (Deuteronomy 21:20), indicating that the child's rebellion arose from physical luxuries. "From Asher's land will come rich food, and he will provide royal delicacies"(Genesis 49:20). Therefore, the tribe of Asher needed to be warned especially about honoring parents.
"Cursed be the one who moves his neighbor's landmark!" (v. 17). Issachar is described as"like a donkey that journeys day and night, resting between the city borders" (Genesis 49:14). Thus Issachar’s familiarity to the boarder would make him prone to this temptation.
"Cursed be the one who misdirects the path of a person who is blind" (v. 18). In Parashah Pinchas, Rashi relates that there was a plot by a group of seven families to return to Egypt. Of these seven, five families belonged to the tribe of Binjamin (Rashi on Exodus 26:13). Binjamin, therefore, would be in particular need to be warned about misleading others.
"Cursed be the one who perverts the judgment of the convert, the orphan, or the widow!" (v. 19). This is addressed to the tribe of Judah, who provided the vast majority of judges for the Jewish people.
"Cursed be the one who lies with his father's wife, uncovering the robe of his father!" (v. 20). This is addressed to the tribe of Reuben, who sinned by moving his father's bed (Genesis 49:4).
"Cursed be the one who lies with any animal!" (v. 21). This would be to the tribe with the largest number of animals: either Reuben or Gad. Since Reuben has his own curse already, this was applied to Gad.
"Cursed be the one who lies with his sister..." (v. 22). In Genesis 30:8 Rashi concludes that Naftali would is prophesied as "wrestling with" his sister.
"Cursed be the one who lies with his mother-in-law!" (v. 23). The wife of Potifar (Joseph’s mother-in-law) attempted to lie with him. One does not need to be warned of temptations to which he will never be exposed. Joseph experienced this temptation first hand. (Genesis 39:7; 41:45).
"Cursed be the one who hurts his fellow by maligning him in secret!" (v. 24). Simon and Levi misused their powers of speech in Genesis 49:5 when they deceived the town of Shechem and killed them all.
"Cursed be the one who takes a bribe to put an innocent person to death!" (v. 25). Such an act is most likely to be done by a businessman. Thus this is addressed to the tribe of Zebulun, who were businessmen (Genesis 49:13).
Though Simeon is mentioned, the curse is given solely to the tribe of Levi. Rashi declares that there is no curse given to the Tribe of Simeon. This is likely because he is also not mentioned in Moses’ blessings in Deuteronomy 33.
